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Shell signs with AMO for LNG officers
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The memorandum of understanding (MOU) will create immediate and extraordinary new career opportunities for the existing base of AMO members with recent LNG experience and will open the door to the future for AMO officers preparing to work in the LNG trades through the leading liquefied gas training programs at RTM STAR Center. "Our pioneering MOU with Shell creates new jobs for AMO members in a large and growing LNG fleet servicing a thriving international market," the AMO national president said. "Our team has been working for the past three years to develop these opportunities for AMO officers in the international LNG trades. Our discussions with Shell began nearly that long ago, and we have worked extensively with the company, as well as the Maritime Administration, to make this a reality for the AMO membership. "On the union side, I'd like to thank Tom Laird for his exceptional work in developing the initial contacts and maintaining the dialogue as we all engaged and resolved the complex issues involved with integrating American officers onboard international vessels," he said. "With Shell, we are expanding AMO's established presence in the LNG trades, and this MOU does not mark the end of our efforts. It is just the beginning." Shell companies currently manage 31 LNG carriers, and that fleet will grow rapidly over the next two years. Nakilat Shipping (Qatar) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd., recently selected Shell to provide a full range of shipping and marine services for an additional 25 newbuild LNG carriers. The week the MOU was signed, Shell Ship Management Limited notified AMO member Capt. John McFadden that he will be "the first U.S. marine officer to join a Shell familiarization course" and that he "will soon be offered a position as master within the Shell LNG fleet." McFadden will be able to begin his first three-month tour as master in the Shell-managed LNG fleet after completing company-specific training and a three-month paid observation trip. "Their fleet of owned and managed gas carriers, both present and newbuilds that will coming into service in the next two years, represents a large portion of the world fleet and significant employment opportunities," McFadden said. "I believe international shipping is the future for many AMO officers, and Shell, being truly a world class organization, stands out as a company to work for. I look forward to my upcoming orientation and training in preparation for joining their fleet. I am sure other AMO officers will be joining me in the near future." Plans for the first phase of recruitment call for approximately 20 AMO members with LNG recency to be hired by Shell to begin integrating LNG carriers managed by Shell companies with American officers. Shell's competitive hiring process will lead to permanent positions with the company for AMO members. "We've been working closely with the U.S. Maritime Administration and AMO to encourage the use of American officers in the specialized LNG shipping trade," said Bob Salmon, general manager of shipping for Shell Trading (U.S.) Company. "Shell is committed to securing the most qualified officers for its maritime fleet operations, as a diverse skill pool drawn from the United States and other countries around the world is essential for us to manage this growth successfully." Capt. Richard Mellor, general manager of Shell Ship Management Limited, attended the signing ceremony in Washington, D.C., and signed the MOU for Shell. "We look forward to working with AMO to help us with the recruitment within the United States and thereafter in the onboarding process of American officers," Mellor said. "We are confident that the recruiting will be a success, as will the integration of U.S. officers into fleet operations." The signing ceremony was hosted by the Maritime Administration at the Department of Transportation. Since taking office nearly two years ago, Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton has made a U.S. LNG crewing initiative an agency priority. The Maritime Administration has been actively working to achieve public-private partnerships on several fronts that will ultimately offer both training and job growth opportunities in this expanding energy sector. Over the past six months, Connaughton has worked with Shell executives, representatives of AMO, and with other international maritime unions in the U.S. and in Europe. Connaughton commended both AMO and Shell for their work in achieving the MOU. He described AMO as a union with "an exceptional record in all that it does" and remarked on AMO's focus on maritime training as a catalyst for new opportunities. "Having companies like Shell, particularly companies of Shell's caliber, moving forward and providing these opportunities-it's something we all should be very proud of and something we really have to commend Shell for stepping forward and doing," Connaughton said. Since January 2005, AMO has aggressively pursued discussions with high-quality companies to secure employment opportunities for the union's base of experienced LNG officers. AMO's first such agreement was reached with Teekay Shipping Corporation, one of the world's leading tanker companies with a significant and expanding presence in the LNG sector. AMO officers are now sailing in senior positions aboard Teekay LNG carriers and tankers. AMO is currently in negotiations with an international owner/operator of LNG carriers on a unique agreement to establish an LNG observation program that would allow AMO officers to earn the necessary sea time and endorsement to work in the LNG trades without prior experience. The exclusive agreement under negotiation is expected to establish observation billets for AMO members on Q-class LNG vessels, aboard which the officers would be able to observe the liquefied gas loadings and discharges required to earn the STCW liquefied gas endorsement. Sailing as LNG observers, AMO members would also earn the necessary sea time to take seagoing jobs with international owner/operators in the LNG trades. Additionally, AMO has the unique ability among U.S. officers' unions to provide its membership with the necessary training to meet stringent international standards for LNG officers. In 2007, the LNG Tankship Liquefied Gases course provided by RTM STAR Center was certified to the standards of the Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators (SIGTTO). RTM STAR Center is a division of the AMO Safety & Education Plan and the primary training provider for AMO members. STAR Center is the first and only training institution in the U.S. and one of a very small number in the world to provide LNG training certified to SIGTTO standards. STAR Center has expanded the program to include an LNG simulation course on MPRI liquid cargo simulators. Both courses are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. "With the leadership of Phil Shullo, the STAR Center staff, and Greg Musk and Jerry Pannell in particular, have done a remarkable job in developing these courses and securing the endorsements to provide AMO members with the best possible training," the AMO national president said. "The combination of the STAR Center LNG courses and the observation agreement we are now developing will give AMO the ability to expand the base of qualified American LNG officers and meet the demand in this specialized trade." |
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